Valve Itch phono

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Mine stylus it's the Shure original, so no comparison vs yours because isn't the same, really I don't know if the JicoSAS worth the money.
Hey I didn't say that you don't know how to step-up a TT, only pointing that's difficult & laborious also easy to make errors.
Itch worth better output caps but it's my opinion, if you don't want to spend more it's ok for me, nobody tells you what you have to do George.
Understand that you don't have time to draw schematic with components, my intention was only to help you to choose the more appropriates for each place. Measures are important but are not the only important don't lose the north have to be sound good.
 
Measurements are the base and component choice the icing on the cake. So before we discuss any further, show me some measurements of your builds, that are up to specs, so we know what we are talking about. Also some measurements of your speakers in your living room (with a calibrated mic) would be nice, in order to understand what you are actually listening.
If I think that something is worth spending, I can spend lots. I will get a new AT ART20 after the summer and I have build a dedicated listening room, which is extremely silent, with bass traps and sound treatments. You can hear more than in a typical living room.
 
Oh, I forgot, and a dedicated lab room.
 

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https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/xover-to-filter-woofer-sb-23nrsx45-8.239399/

https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/passive-time-alignment.334749/

All drivers measured with ARTA software, if you have Xsim xover calculator I can send you FRD & ZMA files.

You are fortunate, I share my audio system at the living room, also share a small room to do soldering & measurement.

Don't lose the North the icing in the cake is the good sound, measurements can help to have the good sound but not always....

Are you listening all the loudspeakers that you have? If not you have a lot of pasive radiators....

N.B. I'm not discussing with you.
 
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I have two turntables,with two very good mc cartridges,so there is the need for two phono stage preamps.i have both guys,like you.i tend to agree with Vgeorge.My Bauer dps3 has a dynavector xv1t,and my dynavector dv 500 has a dynavector te kaitora rua.i have listened both with valve itch and ufsp that are built with very very good components.in the end I decided to pair the three times more expensive cart with the ufsp,and the more lean te kaitora rua(which is very good also,but it is not an xv1t)with my valve itch.the te kaitora rua benefits more from the itch.both phono preamps I remind you are built with very high performance components.both are fantastic!thank you Salas!
 
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And some photos.
 

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I forgot to mention that I listened to katopis system last autumn with the UFSP and his valve itch - with better tubes and probably components than mine - and I still preferred the UFSP. That is not to say that the itch is no good I repeat. It is a fantastic tube phono stage which I am glad I build and regretted that I did not earlier.
 
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diyAudio Chief Moderator
Joined 2002
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built with very high performance components
In the British forum "Audioaddicts" I have seen a budget components Valve Itch build. Just tidy p2p work in a small case. All noval tubes, looking like 6N2P-EV input and possibly 6922 or equivalent in the output stage. Link

Valve Itch firebottle.jpg


Output and interstage coupling caps maybe $10 all together. Still they were Impressed: "It's just a stunningly good phonostage....possibly one of the best you'll hear with valves in." "The Salas is HiEnd DIYaudio, of that I have no doubt. I cannot praise it highly enough."

What I want to highlight with that example is tubeheads love tubes at any parts and finish expense level. Gotta have tubes primarily for their unique tone and not so much for the overall performance summary. Imagine what happens when the technical performance in a tubes circuit is well sorted out also... They will never surrender!
 
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Hi everyone,my new cartridge,paired with Salas valve itch,is awesome! I cannot think of a better phono stage for my new Etsuro cobalt blue Japanese cartridge.The previous one,was a dynavector te kaitora rua.different sounding,more delicate sound with the etsuro.the table and the arm are the same,the DV 500 table with dv507 mkii tonearm.Salas,thanks again for your designs,that allow us to clearly hear these japanese beauties.
 

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